Many ways to give thanks

Veteran's Corner

Lorri Gilchrist

? The Mount Olympus chapter of the Marine Corps League once again is participating in the Toys For Tots program. The American Legion will be assisting them from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays starting Nov. 26 at the Sequim Walmart. Please bring only new toys or cash donations. No clothes.

? I hope you are all planning to attend the Veterans Day Ceremony at the Coast Guard Station in Port Angeles at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11. The Clallam County Veterans Association works with the active duty Coast Guard personnel to bring you this program. It is held in the hanger so lots of room - just need to dress warm! Expect music and flags and speeches and a very uplifting feeling to be with all those who are serving and have served. This year the focus is Desert Storm.

? Please consider donating money for postage or new gift items for the Retsil Christmas Store. The American Legion Auxiliary sets up the store for the residents of the Washington State Veterans Home in Port Orchard.

Each resident can choose five gifts. They are provided Christmas cards. The gifts are wrapped in holiday paper, then for mailing. All of this is free to the resident. The store is open the week after Thanksgiving. We need small appliances, boxes of candy and treats, gift sets of bath items/perfume, fleece blankets, gifts for teenagers, etc. If you have questions or items to donate, call me at 683-6419.

? The economy still is having an impact. There were 253 people seen at the Port Angeles Stand Down, 56 were homeless veterans. There were many service providers who helped - 40 flu shots; 400 meals served; a home found for a Korean War vet who was living in his car; 60 dental screenings; eye exams, one of which resulted in a vet getting glasses provided by Voices For Veterans through Walmart; assistance with burial benefits; getting DD214s; information on college; mental health help and the list goes on!

Attendees have to see three service providers before they can go to the clothing room. There were 197 helped there, 33 of whom received outdoor equipment. Many thanks to the service providers, all the volunteers and the people/businesses who donated time/money/goods. A much appreciated item was dog and cat food. I will let you know when we start collecting for Forks.

? Happy Thanksgiving! Please remember that all of us are blessed to have the men and women in uniform defending us and our way of life. If you see veterans this month, please thank them for their service.

If you have enough to share, please give to the food bank, help serve Thanksgiving dinner at one of the churches or invite a vet to dinner at your home.

The VFW is inviting everyone to attend its Thanksgiving dinner from 1-4 p.m. in the annex. There will be turkey and all the trimmings. A crowd is expected, so please call 683-9546 and leave a message about how many are coming so there will be enough for everyone.

Contributors: DAR Regent Patricia Graham, pattyg@wavecable.com; American Legion and MOAA, Lorri Gilchrist, cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com; VFW Commander Roger Padie, commander@vfwpost4760.com; Marine Corps League, Terry Roth, mroth@olypen.com; Korean War Veterans, Jerry Rettela, eletteor@msn.com.